Teaching method
Teaching method is important to have a lesson structure and to follow the company or school policy. However, it’s just a tool, not the ultimate goal of teaching.
When I was younger, I had a high school student who always wanted to talk about something unrelated to lesson subject. I was irritated once, because I couldn’t do the lesson. Luckily, she was the only student in the class. I asked her if she wanted to study or just came here to chat. Next day, I heard that this student quit. I didn’t know why.
Later I figured out that I was always trying to control the class and students. It’s a good thing, but I might have done it too much. This student came to my English school because she wanted to have fun in English. I should have had a counseling with her, and asked her if she was interested in talking about something small in class rather than studying difficult grammar. Come to think of it, she was a high school student. She must have studied lots of grammar at school and might have wanted to do something else. At school teachers are strict in Japan and students are subjected to a lot of pressure. At English school, there should be some freedom for her to take a deep breath, but I think I took it away.
However, it’s also unappropriate just to listen to your students’ wishes. If they are taking private lessons, then it should be fine. If they are taking lessons with other classmates, then lesson structure or school method are helpful.
Lots of schools nowadays let the students talk, and teachers shouldn’t talk too much. However, if the class consists of silent students, does the same method that worked with active classes actually work? In this case, you might want to add some games or materials to the class. As long as you are not ignoring your school method and if you are just “adding” some more to it, I think the class is actually for the students, not for the school.
When we think about what the class is for, it always should be for students. Teaching method is just one, but there are more than two students in class.
Lots of great artists imitated their senior great artists’ work first. It’s because they know the work is great. But gradually they add their way to draw or compose to make better arts. Lessons are the same.